Falling For My Ex's Dad (Clarissa and Gabriel)

Clairessa's POV

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

I pressed the send button, letting out a long sigh of relief. Finally, the reports were done. It had taken forever, but I'd always loved a challenge-especially one that involved putting the arrogant Gabriel Storm in his place. There was no way I was losing this.

My goal was clear: to get my revenge on Adrian by sleeping with his father. The plan was already in motion, especially after what happened between Gabriel and me at his home. The only reason he stopped was that I had mistakenly let it slip that I was a virgin, leading him to assume I wanted to trap him into some emotional commitment. As if...

Everything was spiraling out of control. My feelings for Gabriel Adrian's betrayal... they were both pulling me in different directions, making things more complicated and dangerous.

Gabriel made it clear-sex was all he was after, and that's all I wanted too. This wasn't about love or affection; it was about revenge-revenge on Adrian, Gabriel had no idea about that, but I knew that when he eventually found out, he would hate me. I couldn't stop now, even if a part of me wanted to

No matter how hard I tried to push the thought of that night aside, I couldn't stop replaying how I felt in Gabriel's arms. I had been ready to give him my virginity without hesitation-something Adrian had begged me for months to do, but I always refused. It wasn't my fault that when Adrian touched me, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing. He even had the audacity to call me frigid, insisting I needed pills to feel arousal. But ! refused.

With Gabriel, everything... felt different. He awakened feelings in me I hadn't even known / was capable of experiencing-desire, raw and untamed passion. It was completely new. Just the thought of his hands on me made my body respond in ways I couldn't control.

I'd always thought I was broken, incapable of being aroused, but Gabriel proved I wasn't. With him, I felt more than I ever imagined possible

Wed,

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

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I ran my hands through my hair, trying to shake off the thoughts of him, but my mind drifted again-to the way his fingers felt inside me...

I needed to get a grip. I had learned the hard way that fairy tales weren't real. They didn't come true. In the real world, men were scum. If I wanted to survive, I needed to toughen up.

I glanced at my watch-it was already past 9 PM. Another late night at work. Shutting my laptop, I made a mental note of everything I needed to do tomorrow.

As I walked through the empty office lobby, a thought crossed my mind: was Gabriel still in his office? I quickly dismissed it. Why should I care? This was about me now, not him.

I pressed the elevator button and stepped in, watching as it descended.

“Ugh..... this can't be happening"" I groaned, turning the ignition again, but my car refused to start. I had no idea why-it had just been serviced!

The engine sputtered weakly, the same annoying sound as before. Frustrated, I slammed my hands against the steering wheel. How could I be so capable in some areas and so clueless about something as basic as cars?

“C'mon..... C'mon," I pleaded, trying one more time. Nothing. I groaned again, hitting the steering wheel in

frustration.

"Clairessa?"

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

The familiar voice startled me. Looking up, I saw Gabriel standing outside my window, watching me with an amused expression.

"Mr. Storm,” I managed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Of all people to see me like this, it had to be him. And, of course, it was in my old car-the one I'd been driving for years to save money for my app. At that moment, I was starting to regret that decision.

“Car trouble?” he asked, sounding more amused than concerned,

“Yes, but I'm handling it,” I lied, praying he would just walk away and leave me to my misery.

"I can see that,” he replied, smirking.

1. me.

"Goodnight, Mr. Storm." I waved him off, hoping to end the conversation, but he just stood there, watching

“Clairessa, it's okay to admit you need help.” His voice carried humor, which only infuriated me more.

Was he enjoying this? I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to keep calm. “If I need help, I'll be sure to ask,” I shot back, trying to maintain some dignity, even though I clearly needed help.

"Alright, Superwoman. Keep at it." He chuckled, the mockery in his voice burning through my last shred of patience.

I watched him walk away, and my frustration reached its peak. I instantly regretted my prideful rejection. Why was I so damn proud? I should have accepted his help, but no-my pride had to get in the way. Now I was stuck.

With a resigned sigh, I got out and popped the hood of the car, staring at the engine as if it might magically fix itself. I tried poking around, pretending to know what I was doing. Nothing worked, of course. Now,

Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

I was stuck in the underground parking lot, alone.

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I sighed again, reaching for my phone to call for a ride. Of course, my phone was at 2% battery, I hurriedly opened the app, but the screen went black before I could book a ride,

“Just what I needed,” I muttered bitterly, kicking the tire in frustration. As I stood there, feeling utterly defeated, a car pulled up beside me. The back window rolled down, and I saw Gabriel's face.

"Get in, Clairessa," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I didn't argue, Pride be damned, I grabbed my bag and climbed into the back seat, next to him. “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Storm,” I mumbled, embarrassed by how the evening had turned out.

He smirked. “I don't know if I find your stubbornness amusing or aggravating."

I glanced at him, heat rising to my cheeks. “For what it's worth, I tried to fix the car.”

"Clairessa, quit the act. We both know you don't know a damn thing about cars," he said, his tone condescending. “You were out there wrestling with that ‘beat-up' car for way too long instead of asking for

help."

My car wasn't 'beat-up.' It had been with me through everything. “That car has seen me through the toughest times, and I'm proud of it," I retorted, feeling insulted by his words.

He chuckled. "Proud of a car that couldn't start? You should've just let me help you."

I bit back a sharp response, knowing he was right. "I would've figured it out," I muttered defensively.

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Chapter 34: Letting Go Of My Pride

“And that 'figuring it out' landed you in my car." He shot me a look. "You're welcome, by the way." His mocking tone was relentless.

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I hated how right he was, and I hated how smug he sounded. "Mr. Storm, you're right. I shouldn't have let my ego get in the way of accepting help from you." I muttered, locking eyes with him for a moment.

“That's better.” He smirked, his attention returning to the tablet in his lap. He was always working—no wonder he was so hard on everyone, including himself.

Thirty minutes later, Darius pulled up in front of my house. Despite how the evening had gone, I was grateful for the ride.

"Mr. Storm, thanks for the ride,” I said, offering him a soft smile as I opened the door.

His expression softened just slightly. "Don't worry about the car. I'll send someone to take care of it."

"You don't have to-"I started to argue, not wanting to owe him anything.

“I insist,” he said firmly. “And I'll send a driver for you tomorrow morning. Before you say no, it's an order. You have no choice."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died on my tongue. "Thank you, Mr. Storm," was all I could

manage.

"Good night, Clairessa," he replied as I stepped out of the car.

As I walked to my door, I couldn't shake the confusion swirling in my mind. Gabriel's coldness, his unexpected

kindness... it was baffling.

10:23 Wed, 19 Feb

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